What ever happened to the term "friendly competition"? Is this a phrase people are afraid of now?
One thing is for sure in this ever changing market; many agents have made the switch from one brokerage to another. Some for the money, some for the training, some for the hopes of increased sales, and some because the brokerage they were in couldn't make it in this new phase of real estate. And those are all legit reasons. Many more agents are sitting back, maybe contemplating a change, and waiting to see what the best option might be. I'm OK with all of this. Shoot, I'm not a stranger to a brokerage switch myself. But I see many brokers preying now on this situation. Circling over the weakening competition to grab up the good agents before there are just crumbs left to pick from. Well, I suppose this is OK in given situations.
But here's what I don't get...seems to be a new mindset in some broker/owners today to completely decimate the competition. Which begs the question; WHAT'S WRONG WITH SOME COMPETITION?
Frankly, I don't believe any brokerage should be the ONLY choice for a consumer. There are societal AND economic dangers inherent in monopolies. The dangers of allowing one company to assume supremacy over a market frightens me, and yet, the prospect seems to excite some. Lets be the "only office the public can call". Lets be the "only choice any buyer or seller has". NO THANKS!
I'm all for having a good team of agents in my real estate office. I'm NOT all for having no competition out there to go up against. First of all, when no one is left but colleagues within my own office, how ugly will this get? It could get pretty bad, going to a listing appointment knowing the person I'm up against works in the office right next to mine.
Secondly, it would make me rusty. Part of the excitement of getting a listing, or obtaining a new buyer, is knowing that I worked hard for the business and I possibly beat out someone else. It keeps me on my toes. It makes me stay educated on what other companies are up to. And, its fun. I work hard to keep a good rapport with every agent in my little Preble County community. But at the same time, every agent out there knows that when the time comes for business to be done, my game face is going on, and may the best woman, or man, win.
So whats with the urge to just shut down the competition altogether?
Its fun to win the race, but gee, it sort of loses its appeal if I dont have anyone to race against.
Kelley Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!
This might be a controversial subject, but I'm willing to take the risk. Mind you, the Home Inspector in question here is my own family member, so I'm REALLY taking a risk.. But the question begs to be asked.
Here's how the scenario played out:
September 9 2008: I ordered a full home inspection/pest inspection for an out of town client, on a bank owned home in my own neighborhood. The inspection was completed, results given to myself and my clients, and the invoice given to me. I asked the home inspector how she would like to be paid and was told to "have it be paid at closing". Fair enough so far.
October 15 2008: This is supposed to be the close-by date. I had sent the invoice over to my Title company a couple weeks ago. Well, some sticky issues regarding financing are raised. So my clients file for an extension on the closing date, for November 1 to be safe. The bank says OK, and the home inspector also says "OK".
November 1 2008: This sucker ain't gonna close. Its an A-Frame house and there are NO COMPS.
November 5 2008: Yep, the deal is dead and I am now searching for a new home for my clients, with a couple of good possibilities. I go ahead and mail the home inspection invoice to my clients (across country) and tell the home inspector that I have done so, and to expect payment shortly.
November 8 2008: We've found a new house already and have a contract worked out. My clients would like to close ASAP and ask that a home inspection be done QUICKLY! I agree. It is another bank-owned and time is of the essence. So I call the same inspector at the request of my clients. The inspector says to me "Yes, I'll do the home inspection but I might hold the results until I get paid for the last inspection" Huh??
November 12 2008: Mind you, this is about 7 days since I mailed the inspection invoice. My clients HAVE received it, but just yesterday. It takes a little while for mail to get from Ohio to the West. So they now have the invoice and have written a check and are putting it in the mail TODAY. I know full and well they are good for it, based upon my knowledge of their situation.
November 13 2008: The inspection is done today and the home inspector/family member comes to my house afterwords. I ask "So how did it go?" And the answer? "Well, I'm not going to tell you until I get paid for my last job". Frankly, I didn't know what to say except.."The check IS in the mail, and honestly, I didn't get paid for MY last job at all, but that's the nature of this business".
November 16 2008: My clients are calling me, asking where the inspection is and how did it go? How embarrassing. I actually have to say to them that I cant tell them until the home inspector gets her hands on the check from the last job. I am FED UP. This is a bank owned property. There are only so many calendar days in which my clients have a legal right to argue something in the home inspection. And my inspector is holding up this process. So I call her and tell her I HAVE to have the inspection TODAY or I will have another inspector out there this afternoon to do the job, and she won't be paid for this one either.
Tell me...do you think I was in the wrong? Did the home inspector have the right to withhold the report? I feel that I was taken advantage of due to being "family" to this inspector. I cant imagine she would have tried this with any other agent in my office.
Just looking for opinions on this one. Thanks!
Kelley Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!
Well, that's what the competitors think anyways. I tend to disagree.
See, this is a time of change. A changing market, changing bank accounts (boo!) changing Presidents, changing options for financing, and, LOTS of real estate office changing. I myself started off the year with a brokerage change. This was NOT an easy decision, but one that HAD TO BE MADE, for the sake of my business, and frankly, my sanity.
So I looked into lots of different companies. And the one I REALLY had an interest in, that's the one I heard the most horrible things about. Including; the broker has horns and a tail. Many, many people (admittedly, former broker and associates) told me the office I was considering should be the LAST place on earth I would ever work for. I was warned to take a good look at the reputation of the office, and the agents. So I did. I watched, and I interviewed, and I made a very deliberate decision. And I still went there.
Its been almost a year now, and to my delight, the experience has been nothing but positive. Oh, I wont lie and say sales have been off the charts. The market here in Ohio has taken a hit much like the rest of the nation. But the people? Really welcoming and professional. And my broker? If she has horns and a tail, she's done an awfully good job of hiding them.
Which leads me to why I bring this up...this evening I met up with a really sweet husband/wife team from a competing office. They have been considering switching over to mine, but had heard a lot of horror stories about the "reputation" of our agents and broker, and wanted to get the scoop from me.
Seems they have been told the broker bears a certain likeness to the devil...
I really don't see the similarity.
This just has me thinking about the lengths some people will go to in order to keep agents within their walls. I know, I know, good agents, REAL GOOD AGENTS, are hard to come by, but to using fear as a tactic to keep agents in their place really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Whats worse is the knowledge that at one time, I was that gullible agent. Wanting so badly to make a change, yet so very afraid due to the horrific stories I had heard from my then-broker and colleagues. It embarrasses me that I could be so easily influenced.
The only thing I could think to tell this husband/wife team sitting in exactly the same seat I was in a year ago is this..."If your current broker has nothing better to do than bad mouth other Realtors and other companies, it certainly speaks volumes to his own character and business values." There's REAL ESTATE to be done out there people!!! And this guy just sits around talking trash about competitors??
Hopefully they will be joining our ranks soon, working hard, learning much, and not tripping over any tails at all!
Kelley Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!
Maybe I should have been born an Eskimo. I LOVE the cold weather.
Luckily for me, living here in Ohio I get a good bit of it, like from October to March. By 5;30 now, it's dark outside, and most nights I am here at home, cozied up by the buck stove. Nice!! Its too dark to show houses, soccer season is over for my son, and I can finally take advantage of some nights at home.
BUT, there are other advantages to this time of year. Ever notice how some agents just take off from Turkey day till the New Year? Not me! December will be a working month for me, because frankly, much as I do love Ramen noodles, I would like to eat something else now and then, and that requires CLOSINGS! Same with paying off the Christmas bills. And yes Virginia, homes do sell in the winter!
In fact, MOST houses look pretty darn nice in the winter, with all the holiday trimmings up, and fireplaces lit. You can't notice the piles of dog doo in the yard, or the crab grass, or giant mole hills overtaking the yard, because its all nicely covered by beautiful blankets of snow. That toilet out in the front yard used as a "decorative flower pot" looks just a little bit cheerier with the string of Christmas lights around it. The shimmery glow of millions of tiny lights hanging here and there does a remarkable job of hiding those double wides...add a few plastic reindeer and my buyers hardly take note of the chicken coop partially blocking the front door.
Ahhh wintertime...
Kelley Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!
This is how last week started...
See the people in the front, screaming their heads off? Yep, that was me.
On Monday: Deal 1: 50 k house, 20% down. Sounds pretty easy right? Well, add in A-Frame home. Uh-Oh. All bets are now off. There is NOTHING to compare the home to. We went back 2 years. NOTHING. So it's not looking good and I'm heading down the hill. I'm afraid it might be a big one.
Tuesday: Deal 2: This poor house. The poor sellers. A cute as a bug brick ranch. Been under contract 3 times before. 3 TIMES! So I finally have it under contract again, for the 4th time. First call of the morning is from the buyers agent: "Hey Kelley, this doesn't look like its going to happen..." I am now gaining momentum and heading down the hill faster. I can't see the bottom at this point.
Wednesday: Ahh, there it is. The bottom. A listing lost. Reason? The market is bad so let's just rent the house out till spring. Believe me; I pulled out every thing I could think of out of my bag o' tricks, but to no avail. I'm pretty much full throttle down the hill at this point. And I don't have a seatbelt!!
Thursday: What's this? A bend in the road? A call out of the blue today to list a home. A GREAT family home here in Eaton, Ohio. From someone in my sphere. Someone I don't have to go in and give the presentation to. Someone who specifically wants ME. I think the ride is changing. And I'm starting to like it.
Friday: YES! I LOVE roller coasters! They rock! A new buyer looking to purchase a second home in Lakengren OH, brought to me courtesy of? My ACTIVE RAIN BLOG! AND, another new listing brought to me courtesy of? You guessed it.
So on my weekends I chow down on corn dogs and funnel cakes, and get ready for my next ride.
It IS a roller coaster business, and I wouldn't have it ANY other way!
Kelley Weimer
A House "SOLD" Name!
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Helping people find the dream. Preble County Ohio and areas including Eaton, West Alexandria, Camden, Lewisburg, and Lake Lakengren. Stress Free, honest and fun, the way it should be!
Hi there! Its another beautiful day here in Preble County Ohio and I'm so glad you've stopped by! Preble County is located in the Southwest area of the great state of Ohio. Go Bucks!
It is a very rural community, and we love it that way! Eaton is the county seat and has a small town feel with all of the conveniences of a bigger city. In addition, there are several other smaller Villages that make up the county, including West Alexandria, Lewisburg, Camden, Gratis, and Lakengren; a peaceful gated community with several lakes for water fun!
Preble County has about 44,000 residents total. I have been a resident here since 1988 and can't tell you how wonderful this community is. We have the beauty of the changing seasons, a close-knit community of folks always willing to lend a hand to others in need, and the advantage of being off the beaten path, yet only minutes away from major cities such as Dayton and Cincinnati, as well as Richmond Indiana.
This is a place for living peacefully. A quiet farm community, with great schools, historic and state-of-the-art places of worship, dedicated sports organizations, and cultural offerings as well. Eaton is home to historic Fort St. Clair, established in 1792 and now home to walking trails, a Holiday festival of lights, and more.
In addition, the City of Eaton offers gated community living about 7 miles SW of town, at a place called Lakengren. This picturesque area is surrounded by rolling plains and offers residential-resort style living to those folks interested in life on the lake. The area offers 22 miles of fabulous homes, and the landscape is painted with mature trees, winding roads, stunning homes both large and small, and of course, sparkling lakes.
I'd love to be your tour guide to this beautiful place I call home, and help you find a home of your own. And you can always see more pictures and get more information on Eaton and the surrounding areas at my web site!
Some would say there are two sides to most people; the personal side, and the professional side. I make it my goal on a daily basis to combine these two as best as possible to provide real, honest, heart-felt attention and service to all of my clients. It's that important!
The personal side:
I'm a lot like you probably! I am a mother,a wife, a daughter, sister and friend. I live in Lakengren, Eaton Ohio, with my husband of 14 years and my two great kids! I am also the proud owner of an overgrown golden retriever named Ted. I am an alumni of Eaton High School, member of the Omicron Sigma Sorority, and current President of First Presbyterian Church.
I like to camp and travel with my family. We love the lakengren community; the swimming and fishing, sledding in the wintertime, and the amazing colors of fall. I am an avid reader and always doing my best to learn new things I can apply to home and work! I am also the proud sponsor of a really hard working boys soccer team. These boys, including my son, constantly remind me of the definition of teamwork, and sportsmanship, 2 traits valuable both on the field and off!
The Professional side: I have been a licensed Realtor since 2002. In 2008, I hitched my wagon to the biggest star in Eaton, Country Mile Realtors, the County's largest real estate brokerage. 
In addition, I am a proud member of:
Dayton Area Board of Realtors
Cincinnati Board of Realtors
Ohio Association of Realtors
National Association of Realtors
I am also a proud graduate of the Floyd Wickman S.M.A.R.T. program, an intensive 7 week course focusing on PRESSURE-FREE buying and selling skills. I also received the designation in January of 2008 of Master Sales Professional, an honor bestowed on less than 1% of all Realtors nationwide! 
Whats that mean for you?
Simple! FIVE CORE VALUES by which I guide my life:
Here are a few other things that make a difference:
1. I am a one-woman show! Meaning? I work alone, and I work for you! I am beside you, from start to finish. When you call, you get me, not an assistant you've never met. When a problem comes up, I am the one to handle it, not some random member of a team. You are number one to me, and my time, service and personal attention are what you get!
2. I LOVE the net! Meaning? If you are buying, it's as simple as one phone call to find that dream home. I am plugged in to the latest, hottest properties. 24-7! If you are selling, you won't be able to get on the web without seeing your home! I am a firm believer of "more is more" when it comes to Internet presence, resulting in premium exposure for your property, and a premium sales price!
3. I am full time! Meaning? Real estate is how I make my living. It's not a hobby. It is my passion! I am passionate about the business of buying and selling, and I want you to experience this passion in the hard work and commitment I put forth every day!
4. First class company! Meaning? I work with the rolls royce of real estate brokerages. Country Mile Realtors is made up of the areas top producing agents. We carry the most inventory. We advertise in a wide variety of print and web publications. This means that when you get me, you also get the advantages of a top notch real estate firm, a company that prides itself on customer satisfaction and daily results!
5. Communication! Meaning? Even though we live in an automated world, personal touch still makes the world go round. When you hire me, you will never have a doubt about how hard I am working for you! I guarantee to speak with you weekly. I guarantee to provide you with updates on the market so you will never have to question where your home stacks up. I dont stcik a sign in the yard and disapear. I become part of your team, and you a part of mine. Together lets work to make your real estate dreams come true!
Come see me today!
www.kelleyweimer.com www.buypreblecounty.com
Kelley did a wonderful job in finding us the home of our dreams. What could have been a difficult experience was made simple due to Kelley's constant hard work and communication with us. - Bill and Mindy
For a real estate experience made real easy - call Kelley Weimer. She's the go-to gal for your real estate needs! - J. Tester
Kelley didn't sell our home...she helped us keep it. We were facing the real possiblity of losing our home, and Kelley came in, talked with the bank on our behalf, and made it possible for us to not only stay in our home, but LOWER our payments as well. Not your typical service from a real estate agent, but will will never forget her and her help! John & Dorothy
Kelley,
I just wanted to thank you for helping me every step of the way. I really appreciate it all. You did a lot for me. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise because they are missing out if they don't have a Realtor like you. - Nikki
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